New cookies policy - you'll only see this message once
This website uses 'cookies' to give you the best, most relevant experience.
Using this website means you're happy with this. You can find out more about the cookies used by
clicking this link

Share this Restaurant

Squaremeal Review of
The French Table

SquareMeal

It’s hardly surprising that this bijoux restaurant in Surbiton is popular as Eric (chef) and Sarah (Front of House) Guignard have been running their restaurant long enough to know exactly what their clientele want. Eric’s kitchen punches above its weight with starters like terrine of lobster and ham hock, set off with a sweet hit of confit watermelon, or an earthy slow-cooked duck egg paired with smoked duck breast and truffle-rich mushroom duxelle, with the likes of pearlescent roasted hake set off with a gentle crustacea sauce for mains. Sarah and her team greet diners as old friends and immediately put them at their ease. The wine list is built to accommodate special occasions (there’s decent selection of magnums and plenty of Champagne), but Sarah has a penchant for unusual and interesting wines, so it’s well worth checking out their seasonal list of wines by the glass and carafe. Those after something less formal should visit for lunch, or even drop into their lovely café/patisserie, The French Tarte, next door.

Three of us wanted to go out locally to a good/top class restaurant and The French Table did not disappoint. Great service, friendly but not overly so. Food was really delicious and we will be going again. Decor beautifully calming greys, no music, lots of bubbly laughter and conversation. You could hear yourself on your table. Service was very good, staff were there when you needed them to be otherwise left you in peace to enjoy your evening out. Really don't know why we haven't been before. Thank...

Penny O.'s rating

Would love to love it more but somehow often disappoints in that it could be better. Been many times over the year but the menu has not really changed enough over the years- there is a lack of creativity. The prices have been creeping up for the set lunch on the weekend and now think poor value compared to many central London starred restaurants which have set deals with better food. On last visit, there was music playing and it was pretty awful- and they were very stingy with the (nice) homebaked...

Pip's rating

Superb food in this family run restaurant up to the standard of many top London locations. Well worth a special detour. We have eaten there many times over the past four years, and have never had a disappointing meal. Excellent wine list, and they really care.

The French Table is tricky to comment on. Yes, the food was pretty good, but too many flavours on one plate, combined with closely packed tables, lead both the tastebuds and the elbows to be little over-crowded. You may find you can hear the imitate discussions of couples on your neighbouring table whilst tucking into your expensive fish with avocado, coriander, chilli, etc, etc.! The service was friendly and helpful, and the wine list was great. However, if you fancy whispering to your dinner partner,...